Private Garden, Hampstead
Autumn 2006
Before
The garden was completely overgrown as the previous elderly owner could no longer cope with such a large garden. Several trees were diseased and many shrubs had completely outgrown the space available. The new owners were keen gardeners and wanted a garden that allowed them to indulge their passion.
Design
A formal layout was adopted, reflecting the client's love of traditional English garden design. The sloping nature of the site meant that boundary walls were rebuilt and strengthened allowing the 'perfect' English lawn to be achieved. Finally, two areas for seating were essential to catch the morning and evening sun as was a small pottager to the rear of the garden.
Planting
The planting scheme was created for keen gardeners who wanted year round interest. Skimmia, hellebores and sweet box are followed by spring bulbs, aquilegias and forget-me-nots. In the summer Rosa 'Veilchenblau' & R. 'Nahema' and Clematis 'The President' & C. 'Asao' clamber over the summer hous whilst Delphinium 'Purple Arrow', Verbascum 'Gainsborough' and Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' dominate the sunny borders.